James Metcalfe
Tsukiji fish market is the world’s largest and handles an immense volume of fish each day. The market handles more than 400 different types of seafood, from cheap seaweed to the most expensive caviar, and from tiny sardines to 300 kg tuna and controversial whale species. Overall, more than 700,000 metric tons of seafood are handled every year – a total value in excess of 600 billion yen, approximately 5.9 billion US dollars.
The auction is the most popular part of a visit: it begins at 5:00 am, and things are generally wrapped up by 1:00 pm. It’s busiest between 5:30 and 8:00 am, and tourists may visit the market daily, between 5:00 am and 6:15 am, and watch the proceedings from a designated area.
Contributor: Caroline Duterque from jackandferdi.com
